Islam and Human Rights — Page 175
Articles 22-28 175 sought to be inculcated and promoted by a religion. In fact Islam treats social and economic values as complementary to moral and spiritual ones, and that is why the former have been expounded in such detail and have been sought to be fostered as part of a comprehensive pattern. For instance, though the Prophet chose to live not merely a simple but an austere life, he warned against extremes of privation as likely to affect a person’s moral and spiritual evolution. “Safeguard yourselves against pen ury, for it might tend to push a person into disbelief ”. For the same reason he said: “There is no monasticism in Islam”, basing himself upon the Quran (57:28). Islam inculcates the acceptance of life and the bene - ficent use of all Divine bounties. “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His ser vants and the good things of His providing?” (7:33). At the dawn of human history it was laid down that all men shall be entitled to food, clothing and shelter. “It is provided for thee that thou wilt not hunger therein, nor wilt thou be naked, and that thou wilt not thirst therein, nor wilt thou be exposed to the sun” (20:119- 120). This was the beginning of human society. Islam put into practice the first effective concept of the Welfare State. Within a few years of the